Birthday Party

Hey there, I was looking for some information on how to plan a birthday party for when my DD turns two. We didn't have a party for her last year because she was too little to understand, plus we had no money to spring for a whole big party. This year she will be older and we wanted to try to have one but everything is so expensive! When I was a kid all we had was pizza, cake and ice cream at my house and that was IT. I've gone to friends' kids' parties and they have a whole spread of food, games, a pinata, plus cake and ice cream. There is no way we can afford to feed a whole meal to people! Is it too cheap to just maybe do pizza, cake and ice cream? We have almost no money to spend on this, we're actually considering not having a party this year either. Any suggestions? Her birthday is of course in February and we would have to pay to have it at a hotel conference room or something because our driveway is four-wheel-drive material that time of year-so there's another expense. I looked into the local hotel packages (they provide food etc) and it's around $8 per person, so too expensive. What do you all do if you only have maybe $100-$200 to spend on a party? Thanks!

Hey there, I was looking for some information on how to plan a birthday party for when my DD turns two. We didn't have a party for her last year because she was too little to understand, plus we had no money to spring for a whole big party. This year she will be older and we wanted to try to have one but everything is so expensive! When I was a kid all we had was pizza, cake and ice cream at my house and that was IT. I've gone to friends' kids' parties and they have a whole spread of food, games, a pinata, plus cake and ice cream. There is no way we can afford to feed a whole meal to people! Is it too cheap to just maybe do pizza, cake and ice cream? We have almost no money to spend on this, we're actually considering not having a party this year either. Any suggestions? Her birthday is of course in February and we would have to pay to have it at a hotel conference room or something because our driveway is four-wheel-drive material that time of year-so there's another expense. I looked into the local hotel packages (they provide food etc) and it's around $8 per person, so too expensive. What do you all do if you only have maybe $100-$200 to spend on a party? Thanks!

Can you throw it at your parents or inlaws house? Or possibly ask a friend who you are close to? For my daughters first birthday (we celebrated my other daughters 3rd birthday as well) we had it at our house. I made meatballs, calzones,(I bought dough at the grocery store and made 5 calzones out of each dough) salad, and made a cake. We just had family, maybe 15 people. I don't think I spent more than $150 and that was including beer and wine. The dollar store near us sells party supplies and we bought 2 mylar balloons to decorate. As long as the company is good and there is enough food, everyone will have a good time.

Can you throw it at your parents or inlaws house? Or possibly ask a friend who you are close to? For my daughters first birthday (we celebrated my other daughters 3rd birthday as well) we had it at our house. I made meatballs, calzones,(I bought dough at the grocery store and made 5 calzones out of each dough) salad, and made a cake. We just had family, maybe 15 people. I don't think I spent more than $150 and that was including beer and wine. The dollar store near us sells party supplies and we bought 2 mylar balloons to decorate. As long as the company is good and there is enough food, everyone will have a good time.

Walmart has cheap bday cakes and theyre pretty cute. You could buy acouple loaves of italian bread and deli meat n cheese and make your own sub sandwiches. Maybe see if there is a local recreation center at a park (inside of course) that rents out. We have a couple near us that r only $50 for four hours. Then u can bring your own food n drink and not have to pay for catering at a hotel.

Walmart has cheap bday cakes and theyre pretty cute. You could buy acouple loaves of italian bread and deli meat n cheese and make your own sub sandwiches. Maybe see if there is a local recreation center at a park (inside of course) that rents out. We have a couple near us that r only $50 for four hours. Then u can bring your own food n drink and not have to pay for catering at a hotel.

I also stuck to mainly family for my LO's 1 year party and we had it in our house since we invited about 15 people. I ordered broasted chicken from the grocery store and then I made a big crock pot of mac & cheese, taco dip, and a couple other easy things. I bought an awesome cake from Walmart for cheap....it was delicious. I decorated it myself by writing happy birthday on it. It seemed like everyone had a good time and enjoyed the food.

I also stuck to mainly family for my LO's 1 year party and we had it in our house since we invited about 15 people. I ordered broasted chicken from the grocery store and then I made a big crock pot of mac & cheese, taco dip, and a couple other easy things. I bought an awesome cake from Walmart for cheap....it was delicious. I decorated it myself by writing happy birthday on it. It seemed like everyone had a good time and enjoyed the food.

We have had all of our birthday parties at Pizza Hut. (My oldest will be 3 in Dec, then lo will be 2 in Feb.) The only thing they require is 48 hour notice & you purchase pizza there. Pizza is the only cost & they provide drinks, plates, etc. It costs about $60 but we feed 40+ people (big family).

We have had all of our birthday parties at Pizza Hut. (My oldest will be 3 in Dec, then lo will be 2 in Feb.) The only thing they require is 48 hour notice & you purchase pizza there. Pizza is the only cost & they provide drinks, plates, etc. It costs about $60 but we feed 40+ people (big family).

We don't have any rec centers closer than an hour away so I'll probably have to stick with one of the two hotels. I had heard Walmart had good cakes-that's probably the way we will go. We have bakery at the end of our road but their cakes are horrible (dry) and expensive!

We don't have any rec centers closer than an hour away so I'll probably have to stick with one of the two hotels. I had heard Walmart had good cakes-that's probably the way we will go. We have bakery at the end of our road but their cakes are horrible (dry) and expensive!

Thought about a pot-luck but most of the people I'd be inviting (except the grandparents who live close by) live over an hour away and we only see them maybe once or twice per year. I go to their kids' b-day parties and that's about it. I don't think I'd be comfortable asking them to drive that far and bring food. We're not that close to that part of the family. It was a good, idea, though!

Thought about a pot-luck but most of the people I'd be inviting (except the grandparents who live close by) live over an hour away and we only see them maybe once or twice per year. I go to their kids' b-day parties and that's about it. I don't think I'd be comfortable asking them to drive that far and bring food. We're not that close to that part of the family. It was a good, idea, though!

This might be an option. We have a Pizza Hut about 45 minutes away. I will call them and see if they do that. They have only one small dining room so if I invited everyone we'd probably take up the whole room but if they'd let us, that would be good! Thanks!

This might be an option. We have a Pizza Hut about 45 minutes away. I will call them and see if they do that. They have only one small dining room so if I invited everyone we'd probably take up the whole room but if they'd let us, that would be good! Thanks!

If I can find a venue I wouldn't mind cooking a few things. The one hotel that has a decent-sized room says we HAVE to purchase their party package and the other one's conference room is so small it's only big enough for 15 people..but they let you bring your own food. this is frustrating!

If I can find a venue I wouldn't mind cooking a few things. The one hotel that has a decent-sized room says we HAVE to purchase their party package and the other one's conference room is so small it's only big enough for 15 people..but they let you bring your own food. this is frustrating!

I also suggest throwing it at someone's house. We live in an apartment in a downtown area with limited parking (the main problem). We had my LO's yr at my parents' house and had 35+ people. For his 2yr we're going throw in the community room at my MIL's housing complex. Good luck!

I also suggest throwing it at someone's house. We live in an apartment in a downtown area with limited parking (the main problem). We had my LO's yr at my parents' house and had 35+ people. For his 2yr we're going throw in the community room at my MIL's housing complex. Good luck!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with pizza cake and ice cream. I have a 7 yr old and that is what we have done every year! I plan a few games but nothing that costs anything. His bday is in the early fall and we usually have it at the city park. This year it was too cold on the day of his party to ho to the park so we rented out our local youth center for a couple of hours. The kids had a blast running around the gym playing w the balls. However with my daughters being in feb, we have a local church who rents out their gym for a good price.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with pizza cake and ice cream. I have a 7 yr old and that is what we have done every year! I plan a few games but nothing that costs anything. His bday is in the early fall and we usually have it at the city park. This year it was too cold on the day of his party to ho to the park so we rented out our local youth center for a couple of hours. The kids had a blast running around the gym playing w the balls. However with my daughters being in feb, we have a local church who rents out their gym for a good price.

I never get notifications of new posts...I just happened to check in and saw there were new ones! Sorry...anyway I was thinking of having it at my parents' house but it's very small. If I can rent a decent-sized and cheaply priced room I could invite more than just the grandparents. there just isn't a whole lot to choose from around here,

I never get notifications of new posts...I just happened to check in and saw there were new ones! Sorry...anyway I was thinking of having it at my parents' house but it's very small. If I can rent a decent-sized and cheaply priced room I could invite more than just the grandparents. there just isn't a whole lot to choose from around here,

Oh good, I'm glad someone else does just pizza. My friend always does this food bar that's more like a picnic for everyone. She has three sisters who cook and contribute to it so all of the cost is not on her but it's just me doing DD's party. I will look into churches in the area to see what they have. Can't hurt!

Oh good, I'm glad someone else does just pizza. My friend always does this food bar that's more like a picnic for everyone. She has three sisters who cook and contribute to it so all of the cost is not on her but it's just me doing DD's party. I will look into churches in the area to see what they have. Can't hurt!

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